CHAPTER 2

After breakfast, Kanae was going to check out the town. Tracy went to the park where she usually met her friends. Gina and Kelly were there, sitting on a table, their feet on the bench. Seeing her, Kelly waved her over.

Kelly said, "Hey Tracy, we were just talking about that odd incident yesterday right after that pink haired bitch gave us the evil eye. We're thinking we walked onto a prank someone set up."

Tracy replied, "Leave that pink haired girl alone. Trust me on this, you don't want to fuck with her."

Gina eyed her. "You think miss priss set that up?"

"I think she's more dangerous than you have a clue of," Tracy said firmly. "Don't mess with her!"

"Whoa! How do you figure that?" Kelly asked.

Tracy eyed her. "She pinned me to the ceiling, and I couldn't move!"

"With what?"

"With nothing!" Tracy snapped. "I yelled at her and bang! Next I knew I was pinned tight to the ceiling by NOTHING! She warned me not to get in her face again or I'd be in severe pain. You know what, I believe her. There's something seriously not right with that girl. Stay away from her."

"You're shitting us." Gina said flatly.

"I'm not!" Tracy said firmly. "I got her name and looked her up. Kanae Kikumura is the daughter of Dame Kaede Kikmura, a known, powerful witch! Some people call her the Wind of Death. We want to stay far away from her."

"Yeah, right!" Kelly said with a chuckle. "How much protection did she pay you to say that shit?"

"I am telling you the truth! Do not fuck with her!" Tracy stated.

Seeing Susan coming, Gina said, "I think we need to get paid some protection also."

"Really, why should Tracy be the only one?" Kelly asked.

Tracy shook her head. "Just remember, I tried to warn you."

.

Heading into town, Kanae found the bank Gilbert told her about. At the bank, he got out of his car and handed her a paper and a card.

"Here's your bank statement and an ATM card. You've got $15,000 in there now. Not happy about the collateral damage, but since they were all cuddled together, I guess you had no other option."

"Thank ya," Kanae replied. "Fifteen not ten?" she asked.

"His daughter was high in his schemes also. I guess she really was a 'Daddy's girl'." he said with a smirk.

"Ya know, that's sick," Kanae told him.

He shrugged. "They're history now. That's what's important. Can we call on you again?"

Kanae nodded. "If it's dirty scum, o'course."

.

Kanae went back to the college. At the entrance three of Tracy's friends painted in black makeup and wearing rings of metal in their faces were hanging out. When they saw her, they stepped out to block the sidewalk. They each had a club in their hand.

"Hey, pink hair!" the middle one called. "Pay us to protect you and you won't get beaten within an inch of your life!"

"Give us all you got and that will be good for a week," another added.

They wanted to play rough, huh? Kaede stopped and held her hand out, "Got a better deal for ya, give me what ya got now, and ya won't be going ta the hospital."

"She making fun of us?" Gina asked.

"We need to teach her a lesson," Susan said firmly.

"We're gonna make you sorry!" Kelly growled.

They each had a club, so whipping her mind hands out, Kanae grabbed the hand and club of the girl on the right and the middle one then the one on the left. She had them beat each other as she took a few steps back.

A couple boys coming out the entrance saw the screaming and crying girls wailing on each other and got on their phones. One to record, the other to call someone.

"STOP!" the middle one cried as she tried to guard her head as her club flailed away at the one on the right. Kanae couldn't aim the clubs accurately, but did get the one in the middle smashed hard across her mouth and in the back of her neck. She tried to fall and smashed the one on the right hard on her knee on her way down.

Kanae watching intently as they beat each other to the ground. The middle one passed out, the other two were wailing in pain and kept swinging. Kanae did get them close enough together to beat on each other. The one on the right passed out, but Kanae had her swing one more time into the last one awake and crying to hit her in the side of the head and knock her out also.

Kanae called to the boys, "What was that about? They just beat each other senseless!"

"No idea, what did you see?"

"Same thing you saw, they came out and started wailin on each other." Kanae told them, doing her best to look confused.

"I called 911 for an ambulance and a cop, they should be here shortly. The operator told us to stay here since we saw what happened."

"I got the video of it on my phone," the other said.

"Yeah, OK," Kanae said and stepped around the knocked out girls. Going over to the boys, she asked, "Do ya know any of'em? Do they usually fight like that?"

The slightly taller muscular one said, "We know they usually cause trouble. Small shit like harassing others and threatening. First time we heard of them beating on anyone, let alone each other."

"Yeah, that was kinda extreme, even for them," the other boy said.

"Maybe they're just loony," Kanae offered.

Three police cars and a pair of ambulances came. The police had Kanae and the boys move father back and got their statements as the ambulance crews loaded the unconscious girls onto stretchers.

Since there was a video of the event, one cop took the guy's phone to copy the video off it. Another used a large baggie and plastic gloves to collect the clubs.

Having the girls loaded on, the ambulances left. Once the police had the video evidence and statements, the police left.

The shorter boy eyed Kanae with a big smile. "Wow, you're really pretty! Your eyebrows are pink too, is that your natural hair color?"

Kanae grinned, "I'tis."

"I'm Randy," he beamed at her and stuck his hand out.

"Kanae Kikumura," Kanae replied and shook his hand.

The muscular boy coughed. "Randy, we going down to watch the game?"

Randy looked at him. "Uhh yeah. Hey Kanae, wanna come see a soccer game with us?"

Kanae noted he lingered holding her hand after the hand shake. "Never seen soccer afore. Ain't got much else ta do taday. Sure."

"Your accent," Randy beamed, "You're from Scotland?"

Kanae giggled. "Aye lad, up in the Highlands."

"You are so cool!" Randy gushed. "Come on, you gotta see this match with us," he all but begged.

"Easy lad, I'm comin." Kanae replied with a big grin. She was amused this guy was fawning over her so much.

The gaming field wasn't that far away. Still by the time they got there, Kanae knew Randy too was just starting college, was from a place in New York called 'Greene', and his guidance councilor told him he should be in the medical profession. He'd been thrilled to get accepted, and his Dad who was a mechanic was proud of him.

All Kanae told him was she was the first one in her family to ever go to college. Randy was over the top happy for her.

"Randy, we gotta pay for tickets," the other boy said.

Seeing they were at the ticket booth, Kanae waited as the other boy paid for his, then Randy reached for his wallet and blanched.

Kanae took her card out. "Two please," she asked.

"Ah you don't have to pay for mine," Randy said meekly.

"My treat," Kanae told him. "Ya've been nice at me, so it's my turn."

"Thanks," Randy said meekly. "I'll pay ya back, honest."

Kanae handed him his ticket. "Nay, ya woan lad. Said it's my treat. Maybe ya'll take me ta dinner sometime?"

"Yeah, I sure will!" Randy beamed.

Going in they got seats next to each other. Randy asked, "You've never seen soccer before?"

"I was a bit confused. Aye, I seen the game, we just call it football."

Randy asked, "So, what do you call football?"

"Rugby. It's basically the same but played a bit different," Kanae explained.

"You watch those games?"

"Aye, lad. In town we got the Highland Games every year. It's a big party." Kanae then explained the hammer throw, caber toss, high and long throws and the Javelin throw. Randy had his undivided attention on her.

The game itself wasn't bad. Their college was playing another college, so there was shouting and routing going on. It was close, their team won by a single goal. After the cheers they got up to file out.

"I'm going to try out for the soccer team," Randy announced. "I played pretty good in high school. You thinking about playing? We do have a girl's team."

Kanae shook her head. "Wouldn't wanna embarrass anyone."

"What, are you good at it?" Randy asked.

Kanae grinned. "The Olympic team from England came to play a charity game. Me, Mom and Nana got talked into playin. We kicked the English butts 12 to 4. After that, they was beggin fer us to join. We turned'em down. Had too much work ta do."

"You're kidding!" Randy cried, eyeing her.

"Nay lad, at home we got tons a work ta do. Can't run off playing games when there's work ta be done." Kanae said firmly. "Sides, here I gotta wear me cap."

"You have to wear that hat? Why?"

"Some day, I may explain it to ya. Just know, I do."

Randy frowned and asked, "Is it a clan thing or something like that?"

"Aye, a family thing. I promised me Mom an Dad I would."

"They aren't here," he reminded her.

"Nay matter. A promise is a promise." Kanae said firmly.

"That's amazing, even though they'd have no way of knowing, you're keeping your promise."

"It's called honor." Kanae said flatly.

"I'm just saying not many people would to that. That makes you very honorable," Randy offered.

Kanae cast him a smile. "Thank ya lad."

.

Kanae talked with Randy all the way back to the Cafeteria where they had lunch. There, Kanae saw Tracy. She waved them over to her table. Kanae sat facing her, Randy sat beside Kanae.

Eyeing Kanae, Tracy said, "I haven't seen Kelly, Gina or Susan since this morning. Have you?"

"Hospital," Kanae replied. "Strangest thing I ever saw. They came out the East entrance and started wailin on each other wit clubs. Randy here saw it too."

"That was really odd," Randy added. "They were beating on each other like they really hated each other. They all knocked each other out. At least two of them were bleeding."

"Shit!" Tracy spat.

Kanae shrugged. "The stupid will be punished," she stated.

Tracy looked up at her. "Yeah, I guess so. Who's this guy?"

"Name's Randy, we just got back from watching a soccer match."

"Boyfriend?" Tracy asked.

"Nay, we just happened to watch your friends beat each other within an inch of their lives," Kanae told her. "We just happened to be there, and were headed fer the game anyway."

Tracy nodded then got up. "See you later, Kanae."

"Later, Tracy," Kanae agreed.

After she left, Randy asked, "You know someone like her?"

"Dorm room mates," Kanae explained. "She ain't happy wit me, but she's copin."

"I'm surprised you're not applying for a sorority," Randy said, "I mean they got their own places, and it's much more private than the dorms."

"An stupid rules," Kanae said flatly. "Plus, I ain't bowin down ta nayone."

Randy grinned. "I can see that. You got anything else planned for the day?"

"Nay, got somethin in mind?" she asked.

"Well, if you just got here, I can show you around campus," he offered.

"Aye, sounds good. Got the rest of the day ta kill." Kanae noted Randy was doing his best to glue himself to her side. By now she figured he had a hell of a crush on her.

With lunch done, Randy led Kanae around, showing her where the medical buildings were, then took her through a walk in the park where other couples were sitting, laying side by side or making out. Kanae had the idea Randy really wanted to make out with her. He suspicions were confirmed by his next question.

As if forcing himself, Randy asked, "So, you got a boyfriend at home?"

Kanae grew a smirk. "Nay. Most guys are scared'o me."

Randy's eyebrows raised up. "Scared of you? Why?"

Kanae looked around. There was no one close, but she could see a few couples. "Because of me Mom. When you git back in yer room, look up Dame Kaede Kikumura, then we kin talk."

"Dame? Are you like royalty or something?" he asked.

That made Kanae laugh. "Nay lad! We're bout as far from royal as ya kin git! Just look up me Mom, then ya may see why. Can't explain it out here."

To himself, Randy said, "Dame Katy…"

"Nay, Kaede," Kanae said. "Here, I'll write it down fer ya. If ya ain't got the spellin right, you'll nay find'er."

Randy watched her pull a pen and note pad and write her mother's name down. "You know, Kanae, you're acting mysterious."

Kanae handed him the note and said, "Can't be helped. After ya look up me mom and if yer still interested in me, we gotta have a talk."

"Is it that bad?" Randy asked with a wince.

Kanae let out a sigh. "That'll be up to ya. I just want ya ta know what ya might be gittin in fer. Fair warnin an all that."

"You trying to scare me?"

Kanae shook her head. "Nay lad, I'm hopin ya won't be."

Firmly, Randy told her, "Kanae, you're a very pretty girl, and by talking to you, a very good one too. You're not stuck up like most pretty girls are, and I really like you. It would take something like … you being an axe murderer to make me change my mind about you."

Kanae tipped her head slightly. "Neither me nor Mom ever used axes. An it's only the bad guys we go after."

Randy stared at her. Weakly he said, "You're kidding, right?"

Kanae offered him a brief smile. "Look up me mom, K?"

Seeing he was just standing and staring at her, Kanae took his hand and tugged him along. "We should git back," she offered.

.

Heading for dinner at the cafeteria, Randy saw Kanae coming behind him and went back to walk with her.

"Hey, Randy," Kanae offered.

"Hey," he said quietly. He then softly said, "Your mom's a real mo-bar bad ass, huh?"

"Aye." Kanae agreed even though she had no idea what mo-bar meant. "Thing ya gotta know is, I'm just like'er. I ain't got years-o slaughterin baddies behind me, yet. But it's comin."

"Your still innocent?" he asked hopefully.

Kanae shook her head. Seeing an empty entryway, she clasped his hand and guided unto it. "Ya been watchin the news?" she asked.

"I saw our three lunatics that beat each other up was on it."

"Day fore that. A Mr. Donavan, his daughter and another girl were kilt in their bed." Kanae explained.

Randy thought for a moment, then said, "Yeah, OK, they guy had the best high security, guards and dogs, but someone got through all of it. The cops think it was an inside job."

Softly, Kanae said, "Nay, t'was me. So was those girls beatin on each other. They were going to beat me, so I made'em beat each other."

Randy frowned. "That can't be, you were just standing on the sidewalk, watching, just like we were."

Kanae looked around to see what was loose. Just outside the entry doors was a strip of cloth. A hair tie that fell out, maybe. She pointed to it. "Randy, ya see that red thing on the sidewalk out there?"

Randy looked. "What about it?"

"Watch it." she coaxed.

The red tie lifted up off the ground. The door opened and the red tie drifted in. The door closed behind it. Randy was fixed on the floating object.

"I ain't gotta physically touch nothin ta affect it." Kanae explained. She made his hand rise up, palm up and dropped the string into his hand. "This force I have is very strong. Narly irresistible. I kin make anything or anyone do whatever I wan'em ta do. I ain't gotta be close to'em either."

Randy stared at the string, then Kanae. "Holy shit!" he squeaked.

"Reach up under me hat," Kanae coaxed.

Slowly Randy moved to, then paused.

"Go on, feel me head," Kanae coaxed. She stayed still as Randy tentatively slid his fingers up under her wool cap. He touched bone. Then he felt around it.

"Me horns," she stated. "That's why I gotta wear a hat, so I doan expose'em."

Gaping at her now, Randy slowly pulled his hand out and adjusted her hat to where it had been. Kanae felt his hand quaking. "Randy, I do like ya. Fore ya git involved wit me, ya had'ta know."

Lips quivering, Randy weakly asked, "Are you human?"

"Diclonius," she replied. "Human in many ways, but nay all. Those in Europe call us elves. "

"So you're like, an alien?"

Kanae grinned at that. "Nay, our kind're originally began in the south of France, from what Mom found out. Me family's from Japan."

Randy stared a her for a moment longer. "OK, yeah, that's why you think I'd be scared of you, like other guys are." He let out a dry chuckle. "I can see why. Knowing what you can do, but not knowing you, yeah I can see why."

He then cast her an intent look. "The thing is, Kanae, I am getting to know you. OK, so you whack bad guys who deserve it. But those misguided twits, you only showed them some pain so they'd leave you alone. Your abilities might be a bit scary, but you're not. At least to me. I don't think you'd hurt anyone who didn't deserve it."

Kanae let out a breath of relief. "Nay, I doan hurt anyone who doan deserve it."

Randy recovered to crack a grin. "And your accent as well as your beauty, blows me away."

Kanae blushed. She stepped up and hugged him. He hugged her back.

"Kanae, you're awesome," he said over her shoulder as he petted her back.

"Thank ya. I was really hopin not ta drive ya away."

"Nope!" Randy said happily. "I'm going to follow you around like a puppy dog."

Kanae burst into laughter.

.

The first day of classes was all meeting their professors and leaning what was required of them. The social professor insisted they no longer refer to themselves as boys and girls, but at least men and women, preferably referring to others as just person, or their proper names. They were also told this wasn't high school, they were expected to turn in assignments on time, no excuses. If they missed a class, it was up to them to catch up.

Kanae was having a good day. Tracy was acting friendly and even cleaned her side of the room. Being a medical student, Randy was in most of her classes, which was also nice. They sat together in class, walked to classes together, had lunch and took free time together.

In the late afternoon, Randy sat in the park leaning up against a tree. Kanae
Sitting up, leaning into him. They were quiet, just enjoying being together. Then Kanae's phone rang. She answered it.

"Kanae … Hey Uzuki, how ya doin lass … What!" Kanae sat up to listen intently. "That's horrible, what happened? … I'm so sorry, wish I could be there. When's the fun'ral? … wait, ya sayin Karen's not our sister? … Nay, I didn know … OK, hold yer horses, if Mom did that, she had a good reason … yeah, I'd be feelin a bit weird meself, but find out why, K? Doan go assumin … Uzuki, I doubt Mom was tryin ta trick ya! … How's this, lemme talk ta Mom … is Dad there, or Grandpa? … K, lemme talk ta Gramma."

Blowing out a breath, Kanae grabbed Randy's hand that was around her.

"Family trouble?" Randy asked.

Kanae nodded. "Hey, Gramma, it's Kanae. What's this Karen was actually Uzuki's mom? … OK … Yeah, I kin see that … she ain't takin it well is she? … Ya need me ta come home? … Naw, it ain't …" Kanae let out a sigh. "K. I ain't gonna like it, but I'll stay … Aye, tis a hard thing … Nay matter, I'll be worryin bout Uzuki anyway … K Gramma … love ya too, give everyone me best, bye."

Kanae put her phone away and looked at Randy. "Karen and Uzuki are girls me parents adopted. Seems Karen had a baby at 15 and due to problems in their family, Mom an Dad ended up adoptin'em both. Mom and Karen decided since Karen had school and wasn't ready to care for a child, they were considered sisters. That's how we was raised and what everyone thought. Karen an her husband got in an auto accident an were kilt. In the death certificates, Uzuki found out that Karen was her real mom, an she's a bit upset that she never knew an no one ever told her."

"Damn, that's gotta be hard," Randy said with a wince.

"Aye, Uzuki's freakin out over it." Frowning, she added, "Gramma told me ta just stay here. Goin back home and missin college ain't what any of'em want me ta do. Kinda makes me feel useless."

Randy wrapped her in a hug. "They're probably right. Depending on how many classes you'd miss, you might have to restart again next year. The medical college is very strict on making every class. It doesn't take much to make you fail.

"Yeah, still sucks," Kanae grumbled.

On an impulse, Randy kissed her forehead. "Anything I can do to make it better?" he asked.

Kanae smiled briefly at him. "Study wit me an make sure we pass."

"Absolutely."